Eph 4:2b Meekness

Meekness

Ephesians 4:2b

Today's theme is focus on a personal quality which is in short supply in our world. If we can develop this character quality, we are promised that God will make us a mighty blessing.

How do you respond to attacks on your leadership as a father or mother, your authority, or your personality? Parents - children might attack your authority to make rules and guidelines in your home. Isaiah says - Isa 29:16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"?

What if your family attacked you for the person you married because this person was not from the same background as you were? Your spouse might not appreciate your heritage or even understand all your religious traditions. I have seen people respond two ways, both lacking wisdom, but there is a third way -God's way - that is different. One way is to attack back and defend our actions. In the attack make similar allegations of intolerance or lack of understanding on the part of our family members. Another way is to fume quietly and isolate yourself and spouse from the rest of the family and vow never to spend time with the family until they can get their act together and accept you. We have a family feud in the Bible showing us a godly better way to respond to personal attacks. The bother and sister of one of the most famous leaders in the Bible attacked their brother for is choice for a wife. They then questioned his authority to lead them and even God's anointing on his life. Who was this? This person did not rant and rave. He did not say, "I'm not going to let them do that to me." I am going to prove them wrong. Or say "Look, God called me and if you are going to oppose me, I am going to get rid of you or make sure that you are punished appropriately." Moses seemingly did nothing. He did not have to do anything because God looked after it. God allows trials to come into our lives so that He can develop character in us or demonstrate to the world the character qualities which we have developed. Romans 12:18 - 21 reflects God's way of handling this type of crisis. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Because of Moses' attitude, scripture says in Nu 12:3 (Now the man Moses [was] very meek, above all the men which [were] upon the face of the earth.)

Meekness is showing complete control of emotions and character in the midst of trials and challenges. If we have developed the personal quality of meekness we will be able to respond to our enemies and personal attacks with quietness and resolve. We will not seek to get revenge or get even. We will not seek ways to justify making life miserable for someone else.

David was very cautious that he did not lay is hand upon the Lord's anointed - Saul. Saul was trying to kill David and David snuck up on Saul as he was sleeping. His servant Abishai who was with him wanted to kill Saul but David's response was The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that [is] at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go." 1Sa 26:11 David could have killed Saul because Saul was trying to get rid of David. Instead he just took evidence that he that he could have killed him and then went across the valley out of harms reach and shouted to Saul that God had spared Saul but his body guards had failed Saul because David could have killed him. David demonstrated meekness because instead of getting even and killing Saul, David showed mercy and forgiveness. Ps 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. David knew that God had anointed him to be the next king but he was not in a hurry to usurp the kingdom from Saul. He just wanted to live at peace with him. (Mt 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.)

God gives salvation and protection to the meek. It is to our advantage to develop the character quality of meekness because we are assured in scripture that God takes special care of the meek. Ps 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Not only are we assured of a place with God in heaven but we are told that God will save the meek. Ps 76:9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Zeph 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble (meek) of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility (meekness); perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger. Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

3. Know God is in control and He will defend us from those who would try to hurt us. God's on the side of the meek. Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. Evil doers have no regard for the meek Am 2:7 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the [same] maid, to profane my holy name:

How to achieve a meek spirit.

1. Have a teachable spirit. Meekness has a learning and quiet spirit. We looked at humility last time and this quality also reflects a teachable spirit. God will reveal things to a meek person which no other person will learn because God trusts those who are meek and humble in heart with his wisdom. Ps 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Ps 45:4) Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls Jas 3:13 Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

2. Recognize that we are not better than others just different. We are to treat other people with respect and honor. If we do that we will be able to show love and compassion to all people. Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

3. Jesus was meek - his meekness brings peace and rest to others. Mt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Mt 21:5) When we develop the quality of meekness we will bring peace to the lives of others. Some of you live with a lot of tension in your relationships. Often these tensions arise because there are issues of control. The tension which gripped the Washington DC area with the sniper shootings over the last month was perpetrated by a man who wanted to control people. He used fear to control them. When he could not have his own way he resorted to violence. His two marriages resulted in divorce because he was violent. Violence and control of others is completely opposite to the quality of meekness. He did not have any meekness in his life. Meekness is the ability to control our emotions, our spirit and allow God to bring vengeance and justice. That is why we need to pray that God will bring justice and retribution to those who are bringing destruction not just to the Christian standards and principles but to the believers who seek to live by these standards. I am sure that if we cry out to God we will see a change in the governments of the world. People around the world prayed for years for the change in the Russian government. God has brought down the oppressive hand of communism and given freedom for the people in Russia to learn about God. I am sure that if we pray for changes in the country of Laos, God will bring new openness to that country as well. We develop the quality of meekness when we allow God to bring justice instead of taking matters into our own control and using our own power to try to intimidate and change others. Ps 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

4. Help those who are struggling. Have a positive spirit and do not complain but rather seek ways to help the problem not to exasterbate the situation (make the problem worse) Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 1Co 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness? (2Co 10:1) 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

5. Seek God and praise Him for your daily provision, your health, your family and friends, Ps 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Great value before God and through meekness God will bring a spiritual harvest. 1 Pe 3:1 - 5 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Joy for the meek Isa 29:19 The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Meekness is only one of the many qualities we are to cultivate in our heart's garden to produce the fruits of the spirit here in this world and spiritual fruit - the salvation of others - for eternity.

Ga 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

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